Abnormal liver function in chronic hypervitaminosis A

Abstract

A case of chronic hypervitaminosis A is reported in a 57-year-old woman who took vitamin preparations for alopecia. Liver biopsy of the patient showed both an increase in the number and size of fat-storing cells on light microscopy and rapidly fading green autofluorescence of vitamin A. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of engorged fatstoring cells in the space of Disse and minor toxic changes in hepatocytes. This case illustrates the early hepatic changes of chronic hypervitaminosis A and indicates a need for restriction of sales of vitamin preparations.